​Join us for a special evening edition of Community Connect: After Hours, Montgomery College’s signature biotech networking event hosted by the Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science + Technology (PIC MC).

​Overview

​As global tensions, tariffs, and foreign ownership controls reshape the biotech landscape, one question demands action: How will we secure America’s bioeconomy?

​Join Maryland’s leading voices in government, biomanufacturing, and economic development for a dynamic forum exploring how workforce, policy, and innovation can strengthen the nation’s biomanufacturing future.

​Together, we’ll break down how onshoring, federal investments, and strategic partnerships are reshaping U.S. competitiveness—and why Maryland is uniquely positioned to lead. Be part of the conversation shaping the next era of American biotechnology, policy, and national security.

​Agenda

​5:30pm | Fireside Chat
Topic: Building the U.S. Strategic API Reserve

​A provocative discussion on how supply chain resilience and national readiness depend on domestic innovation, investment, and a secure, skilled workforce.

• ​Vic Suarez, BioScience & Supply Chain Executive, Global Board Director at ATCC

• ​Gail Wasserman, Senior Vice President, Biopharmaceutical Development, R&D, AstraZeneca (retired), Chair of the Board at PIC MC

​6:00pm | Panel Discussion
Topic: Reshoring & Building Maryland’s Biotech Manufacturing Advantage

​An expert conversation examining how domestic production, policy shifts, and new trade alliances are transforming the biomanufacturing landscape—and what Maryland must do to compete and thrive.

• ​Prashant Panchal, MS, MBA, Director, Business Planning & Operations, AstraZeneca (invited)

• ​Dr. Timothy Fouts, Chief Scientific Officer, ABL, Inc.

• ​Chris Frew, CEO, BioBuzz

• ​Thomas Luginbill, Executive Director, PIC MC (moderator)

​About PIC MC

​The Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology at Montgomery College (PIC MC) is an integrated academic, business, and research hub uniquely designed to connect education, industry, and innovation within Maryland’s I-270 technology corridor.

​Located in Germantown and part of the nationally recognized Montgomery College which serves nearly 50,000 students across 140+ programs, PIC MC provides unmatched access to hands-on learning and workforce pathways in fields such as biotechnology, cybersecurity, engineering, and health sciences.

​The campus is home to Holy Cross Germantown Hospital, the only full-service hospital based on a community college campus, as well as Hughes Network Systems’ state-of-the-art satellite manufacturing facility.

​PIC MC anchors a larger innovation ecosystem that includes the Germantown Innovation Center, the county’s premier incubator for early-stage tech and life science companies; BioTrain, a leading regional biotech workforce training program; Bio-Trac, a nationally recognized provider of advanced laboratory training; and Flexnode, an innovative data center technology company helping shape the digital infrastructure of the future.

​Surrounded by more than 350 bioscience companies and key federal institutions, PIC MC fosters collaboration, fuels regional talent pipelines, and drives economic growth—creating a dynamic ecosystem where education, industry partnerships, and innovation thrive.

​Bioscience Education Center

​In a region ranked among the top five nationally for biotechnology, the Bioscience Education Center provides the College and business communities a fully integrated research environment that includes laboratories, classrooms, meeting space, and a conference center. The center offers dedicated space and equipment for teaching cell culture, bio-manufacturing (cell propagation), and genetic diagnostics.

​Tours will be available following the program for those interested.